Islands of Scotland Award (IOSA)
13/04/2026
About the Islands of Scotland Award
The Islands of Scotland Award (IOSA) is a special programme of GMFF, created to promote amateur radio activity from and with the islands of Scotland.
Scotland is home to a remarkable variety of islands, ranging from the well-known and populated islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland, to many smaller, remote, and rarely activated islands around the Scottish coastline. Together, they offer a rich and rewarding challenge for radio amateurs, whether operating as activators in the field or as chasers from home.
The IOSA programme is designed to encourage portable operation from these islands in a spirit of adventure, good operating practice, safety, and respect for the environment and local access conditions. It is open to licensed radio amateurs from all countries, and we warmly invite operators everywhere to discover, activate, and chase the islands of Scotland.
Only islands included in the official IOSA reference list are valid for the purposes of this award programme. Each qualifying island is identified by a unique IOSA reference number.
If you intend to activate an island that does not appear in the official list, please contact us before your expedition. We will review the island and, where appropriate, assign it a unique reference number and add it to the IOSA list.
General Conditions
- All awards are issued in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
- Participation is open only to licensed amateur radio operators who are current GMFF members.
- All QSOs must be made in accordance with the terms of the operator’s licence and with the GMFF General Rules.
- Only islands included in the official IOSA list are valid for award purposes.
- Each island is defined by its unique IOSA reference as shown in the official list.
- For IOSA, all operation must take place from land on the qualifying island.
- Maritime mobile operation does not qualify for IOSA.
- The Award Manager reserves the right to request additional evidence in support of any claim, including confirmation from the activator where necessary.
- All information submitted in support of an application must be accurate and complete.
Chaser Awards – “Hunter Series”
The IOSA Hunter Series recognises radio amateurs who make confirmed contacts with stations activating qualifying Scottish islands.
Award Levels
- IOSA 10 – 10 different islands
- IOSA 20 – 20 different islands
- IOSA 30 – 30 different islands
- IOSA 40 – 40 different islands
- IOSA 50 – 50 different islands
- IOSA 60 – 60 different islands
- IOSA 70 – 70 different islands
- IOSA 80 – 80 different islands
- IOSA 90 – 90 different islands
- IOSA 100 – 100 different islands
- IOSA 110 – 110 different islands
- IOSA 120 – 120 different islands
- IOSA 130 – 130 different islands
- IOSA 140 – 140 different islands
- IOSA 150 – 150 different islands
- IOSA 160 – 160 different islands
- IOSA 170 – 170 different islands
- IOSA 180 – 180 different islands
- IOSA 190 – 190 different islands
- IOSA 200 – 200 different islands
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Requirements
- Each qualifying QSO must be made with a valid activation of an island listed in the official IOSA list.
- Each island counts once only for award purposes, identified by its unique IOSA reference.
- Multiple QSOs with the same island do not increase the award total.
- Contacts may be made on any authorised amateur radio band or mode, subject to the GMFF General Rules.
- Activator-to-activator contacts may count where permitted under the GMFF General Rules.
Activator Awards – “Explorer Series”
The IOSA Explorer Series is awarded to radio amateurs and club stations who activate qualifying Scottish islands.
Award Levels
- IOSA Explorer 10 – 10 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 20 – 20 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 30 – 30 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 40 – 40 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 50 – 50 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 60 – 60 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 70 – 70 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 80 – 80 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 90 – 90 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 100 – 100 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 110 – 110 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 120 – 120 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 130 – 130 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 140 – 140 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 150 – 150 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 160 – 160 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 170 – 170 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 180 – 180 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 190 – 190 different islands activated
- IOSA Explorer 200 – 200 different islands activated
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Activation Requirements
- Operation must take place from land on the qualifying island itself.
- Maritime mobile operation is not valid for IOSA.
- All parts of the station, including operator, equipment, power source, and antenna system, must be located on the qualifying island.
- A minimum of 50 QSOs with 50 different stations is required for an activation to qualify.
- Each island counts once only towards the Explorer award totals, identified by its unique IOSA reference.
- Repeat activations of the same island are welcome, but do not count as additional islands for Explorer award purposes.
- Activators are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions before operating from any location.
- Possession of an amateur radio licence does not in itself grant any right of access to land or property.
- Activators must comply fully with all relevant laws, regulations, site restrictions, environmental protections, and land management requirements.
- Club stations may also qualify, provided all operation is carried out under a valid callsign and in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
- If you plan to activate an island that is not listed in the official IOSA list, please contact us before the expedition. We will consider the island and, if accepted, assign it a unique IOSA reference number and add it to the official list.
Application Procedure
To apply for an IOSA award:
- Pay the award fee.
- Record your PayPal Transaction ID, as this must be included with your application.
- Download and complete the appropriate application form:
- Submit your completed application to info@gmff.uk.
Applicants are advised to ensure that all claims are correct before submission.
Optional engraved plaques may be available for certain award levels, subject to current availability and pricing.
Links
Links:
IOSA Official List: https://gmff.uk/iosalist.ods
Activator Application Form: https://gmff.uk/iosaactivatorapplication.ods
Chaser Application Form: https://gmff.uk/iosachaserapplication.ods
GMFF General Rules: https://gmff.uk/gmff-awards-general-rules
Award Fee: https://gmff.uk/product/gmff-award-fee
GMFF Membership: https://gmff.uk/gmff-membership
Coordinate Converter: https://www.adif.uk/coord
Useful Map: https://kwirk.github.io/pota-gb-map
QRA Locator Map: https://www.egloff.eu/qralocator
